Enough pumpkin to go around

Article |
30 September, 2011 - 13:22

Article Date:

30 September, 2011 (All day)

Matt McConkie and Tyler Quigley of Mountain Green competed in this year’s giant pumpkin weigh-off sponsored by the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers. Part of the quest in growing pumpkins of such a remarkable size is to help feed families throughout Utah!

McConkie has been growing giant pumpkins for 4 years and Quigley has been growing them for two years.

Two times his pumpkins were: 909, 1338, and 1600 lbs. Matt’s 1600 pound pumpkin is the 23rd largest pumpkin ever grown in the world and the largest weighed in the world so far this year.

The current world record was set last year by Chris Stevens in Wisconsin at 1,810 lbs.

McConkie entered one pumpkin at Thanksgiving Point this year and took 6th place with a personal best 994 lbs. He also entered 2 pumpkins in the Utah State Fair and earned a Blue and Red Ribbon with pumpkins weighing 896 lbs (new state fair record) and 651 lbs.

They also have competed for the longest long gourd. Quigley’s 93 & 5/8 inch gourd took 2nd place and is the 2nd longest gourd ever grown in Utah.

“I love to grow giant pumpkins and see the looks on people’s faces when they see you hauling them down the freeway to the weigh-off,” said McKonkie.

Giant pumpkin growing is really a fun sport,” says Quigley.

Our pumpkins will be on display at Mountain Green Elementary School later in October and at some of the Golden West Credit Union branches.

“A lot of people ask us what we feed these giants? The answer is: a secret pumpkin sauce and PEDs, Pumpkin Enhancing Drugs.”